Boulder residents participate in worldwide March Against Monsanto

Cyndi Nusbaum, of Boulder, holds a sign while protesting Monsanto on Saturday, May 25, 2013, in front of the Boulder County Municipal building in Boulder. (Jeremy Papasso / Daily Camera)

A crowd of about 75 participated in the Boulder version of the March Against Monsanto on Saturday, gathering downtown to protest the agricultural giant and the use of genetically modified organisms in food production.

Activists advocate the labeling of GMO products, repealing the “Monsanto Protection Act” and further research into the health effects of GMO foods.

Organizers said "March Against Monsanto" protests were held in 52 countries and 436 cities on Saturday.

Genetically modified plants are grown from seeds that are engineered to resist insecticides and herbicides, add nutritional benefits or otherwise improve crop yields and increase the global food supply.

Monsanto Co., based in St. Louis, said that it respects people's rights to express their opinion on the topic, but maintains that its seeds improve agriculture by helping farmers produce more from their land while conserving resources such as water and energy.

The Food and Drug Administration does not require genetically modified foods to carry a label, but organic food companies and some consumer groups have intensified their push for labels, arguing that the modified seeds are floating from field to field and contaminating traditional crops. The groups have been bolstered by a growing network of consumers who are wary of processed and modified foods.

The U.S. Senate this week overwhelmingly rejected a bill that would allow states to require labeling of genetically modified foods. Colorado's senators split on the issue, with Michael Bennet voting in favor of labeling and Mark Udall voting against it.

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